Here’s how sports can return and help America heal

When Covid-19 (the novel coronavirus) began its spread around the globe in late 2019, little indication of its ability to upheave society was apparent. The highly contagious nature of the disease guaranteed its spread. While disease and death mounted, people, especially non-essential workers were forced into quarantine. However economic ramifications also became part of the story. Businesses lost customers and then found themselves in economic hardship. Disruption also extended to the sports world where games were suspended indefinitely as athletes began returning positive tests. While the temporary loss of sports may not be the most consequential of Covid-19’s disruptions, its impact is unmistakable.

Yes, the loss of sports robs people of entertainment, however the suspension of games dried up gate receipts for team owners, and it also meant a loss of income from sales of merchandise and concessions. Dozens of other people who benefit from these sports being played also lost out. Apart from the economics of its absence, people tend to view sporting activity as a part of a country’s national fabric and as an institution that either implies a sense of normalcy. Subsequently, a national outcry has arisen for the speedy return of sports. And while sports have returned to some extent, the absence of fans has left a gaping hole in this national fabric. Now, leagues are looking at how to bring sports back while keeping players, fans and staff safe.

Here’s how sports can make a true and complete return.

Extensive Testing – The return of sports is dependent on keeping Covid-19’s penetration throughout the population to be as low as possible. In the absence of a working vaccine, sports can’t safely and fully return to a country where a high number of cases still exist. Thus, the resumption of sports can only return when a high rate of testing is implemented to identify infected persons, making the delivery of treatment possible. Till then you can visit lines.com for updates.

Rapid Covid-19 tests – Apart from extensive testing, the introduction of faster and more accurate Covid-19 test kits can hasten the return of sports. It would also help if these test kits were more comfortable than the commonly used nose swabs tests. Luckily, the FDA has approved a new saliva test called SalivaDirect spearheaded by the NBA and the NBA Players Association (NBPA) in collaboration with Yale University. This new test does eschew the lengthy, expensive and cumbersome RNA extraction process as is common with the nasal swab test. The FDA’s emergency authorization of SalivaDirect means that it can help detect infections far more rapidly, if implemented extensively,

Wearing of masks – Masks are an important tool in the fight against Covid-19 and have been proven to help cut the rate of transmission between persons. However, while some governors have implemented mask mandates, the hesitance of others has ushered in an increased virus spread. Since the return of sports must meet a society hospitable to its return, mask mandates must ensure that athletes and staff can return to play without any disruption.

Limit fan attendance – At least in the early part of sports’ return, fan attendance must be severely limited or eliminated altogether. While teams can make a great effort to keep their players and staff uninfected, fans are an uncontrollable variable and can put players and personnel in danger. Not surprisingly, many franchises have announced that they will not admit fans for the foreseeable future once competition resumes.

Covid-19 has taken a lot from us and there is as yet no indication when a working vaccine help usher in a return to normalcy. Even normalcy does return, Covid-19 would have left deep scars on the population that will linger for perhaps years to come. While the return of sports can signal a return to that sense of normalcy, it is only the beginning. However, it will be a sign that millions will welcome.